Orji Lauds Military For Stamping Out Kidnapping

Governor Theodore Orji  of Abia State, has lauded the military for the role played with other security agencies to stamp out kidnapping in Abia.

Orji made the remark when the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Oluwaseun Oshinowo, paid him a courtesy visit in Umuahia.

“The major reason Abia should not forget the army is the role it played during the era of kidnapping; at a time; the kidnappers became too powerful for the government,” he said.

The governor said that it took the intervention of the military to send the hoodlums out, noting that “today, Abia has become one of the safest states in the country.”

He said the killing of the kingpin and leader of the notorious gang, popularly called “Osisikankwu’’, sounded the death knell for kidnapping in the state.

He also said that the resuscitation of Ohafia barracks, which went moribund many years ago, and the presence of the military personnel in Abia helped to enhance security in the area.

He expressed the readiness of the state government to partner the military, saying, ‘’if the military has achieved all this for Abia, why should we not partner you?’’’

In his speech, the GOC thanked the governor for his unrelenting support to the military.

He cited the state government’s donation of vehicles to the organisation and the provision of infrastructure at the barracks.

He, however, appealed to the governor to fulfil his promise to rehabilitate the road leading to the barracks, saying the rains had worsened its deplorable condition.